Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: The problems facing our higher education institutions go beyond the headlines about Harvard

Although President Donald Trump and Harvard's recent spats make headlines, key issues in question affect all higher education. Harvard, our nation's first college (1636), is a center of current … more

By Don Brunell | 6/18/25

Julie McDonald: More thoughts on the Uncle Sam billboard and how demonization of people with different opinions can go too far

Last week, after I wrote about the $2.5 million sale of the Hamilton Uncle Sam sign to the Chehalis Tribe, I received a call from Penny (Hamilton) Mauel of Chehalis, a member of the Hamilton family. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/16/25

Wayne Fournier, left, reads a depth scanner at the Tenino Quarry Pool during a dive expedition to the bottom of the pool in 2017.

Wayne Fournier: The quarry pool mysteries and what they teach us about local lore

If you grew up in Tenino, you know the Quarry Pool isn’t just a swimming hole. It’s a place where local legends are born — whispered by teens sneaking up to the top of the … more

6/16/25

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: The good guys don’t burn cars, harm cops, block streets and wave foreign flags

Honestly, sometimes I just have to shake my head at the politics of all levels of government. In the June 5 edition of The Chronicle was the front page headline “Lewis County … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/16/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: To uncover the sadness within, we must be brave enough to remove the masks

When I was younger, I thought the greatest task in life was to figure out what I wanted to do. Now, I think the greater task is to figure out who I really am. It is a journey we all take, … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 6/16/25

Jake Remund bales hay near Curtis on Sunday, June 8.

Brian Mittge: A Father’s Day prayer for faithfulness

This week, I again relished one of the sweetest delights in life: watching your children stand tall and strong as they serve others and push through hard things to do what needs to be done. … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 6/13/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: Response to Green Hill safety issues sunk by majority’s offender-friendly leanings

I’ll say this for our Democratic colleagues in the state Legislature: They certainly are creative when it comes to promoting offender-friendly policies. This year the majority used the … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/13/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno and Antonio Abbarno pose for a photo during the Lewis County Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Peter Abbarno: Strong fathers help build stronger futures

Each year, Father’s Day gives us a moment to celebrate the men who raise, support and guide us. But beyond the cards, ties and cookouts, this day should be a call to action — because when … more

Commentary by Peter Abbarno | 6/11/25

Alfred and Ruth Hamilton stand in front of their notorious Uncle Sam billboard in Napavine in this photo taken by Pat Moser for The Oregonian in 1985. At the time, the billboard read, "Russia will lie, cheat and manipulate us in treaty talks."

Julie McDonald: Sale of Uncle Sam sign, closure of Hudson’s Bay Co. mark end of an era

Last week, two changes marked the end of an era, the closing of chapters of history — the sale of the Uncle Sam billboard off Interstate 5 near Napavine and the shuttering of the last Hudson … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/9/25

John Braun: State’s Democrats overpromise, underdeliver on affordable-housing solutions

Republican and Democrat legislators both use the word “crisis” to describe the state’s affordable-housing situation. A look at the housing-related bills passed during this … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: Employers launch new 15-year vision and plan for Washington state

Two summers ago, starting in the community of Stevenson along the Columbia River, I joined employers in a series of town hall meetings around Washington asking people to share their vision for our … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 6/6/25

Richard Stride: A hook, a prayer and a piece of gum — reflections for Father’s Day

I often talk about the strong women in my life in these columns. I also had two incredible males in my life, my dad and my grandpa. I’ll bet you have some good men in your life as well. … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

A rally participant stands with a sign about parents’ rights during a rally on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Commentary: A century later, Washington state fails parental rights

Children are not creatures of the state. That's the unanimous conclusion reached by the U.S. Supreme Court a century ago this June in its precedent-setting case Pierce v. Society of Sisters. … more

By Vicki Murray | 6/4/25

In October 1927 in Yakima, bakers used 400 gallons of apples to make the world's largest apple pie to celebrate National Apple Week. The pie was 10 feet across, and it took five cords of wood to heat the oven to bake it.

Julie McDonald: How Washington became the Apple State

Growing up overseas as the child of missionaries, Amanda L. Van Lanen recalled hearing people in Saipan north of Guam speak nostalgically about the joy of biting into a crispy, juicy fresh apple, but … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: What exactly does a county commissioner do?

Ask a random room full of people what a county commissioner does, and you’ll get a mix of answers: “Uh … something with roads?” “Are you like the … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

John McCroskey: The more power we give government, the worse outcomes we have

Years ago, when my children were young, our government made what I described then as a mistake. I know what you’re thinking: That can’t be. That doesn’t sound like the … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Brian Mittge: Let’s make this a month of faith, hope and love

An ancient idea has new form in June: a fresh movement to re-devote ourselves to faithfulness. It’s called Fidelity Month. I first encountered this idea halfway through last … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/30/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks with other senators during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: The value of ‘killing’ bad legislation in state Legislature

The use of “kill” for efforts to stop legislation goes back to at least 1910. That’s when future President Calvin Coolidge, then a Republican state representative in Massachusetts, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/30/25

The outside of Chehalis United Methodist Church is pictured after a meeting on safe parking on Thursday, May 22.

Commentary: Why we are trying to create Safe Parking for families with children in the Twin Cities

For more than 18 months, a sub-committee formed by the Hope Housing Collaborative of Lewis County has been working to create a Safe Parking program to be implemented at churches in Centralia and … more

5/28/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: A beginner’s guide to protecting your right to farm

I have no clue as to who, or how many people, read my opinion piece. I do occasionally get an email from someone asking a question or commenting on something I have written, so I know somebody does … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/28/25